Bellator MMA announces signing of Phil Davis
With the exception of his first three professional fights, Phil Davis has spent most of his career in the UFC Octagon, but that is likely to change soon.
With the exception of his first three professional fights, Phil Davis has spent most of his career in the UFC Octagon, but that is likely to change soon:
It appears as though Phil Davis is on the verge of signing with Bellator MMA.
According to sources close to the situation, Davis, 30, is very close to inking a new multi-fight contract with the promotion, and the deal could be officially announced as soon as Wednesday.
Davis, whose UFC contract expired after his January loss to Ryan Bader at UFC on FOX 14, has a 13-3 (1 NC) record.
It is common practice for the UFC to negotiate a new deal with an athlete when he or she has one fight remaining on their current contract. The athlete has the option to fight that last bout and a win can sometimes mean more power at the negotiating table. Unfortunately for Davis, he chose to fight out his contract and lost to Ryan Bader, weakening his bargaining power. It has however allowed him to test his value on the open market and could possibly leader to a bigger payday in Bellator.
Update: Today Bellator made it official that is come to terms with Phil Davis.
Bellator MMA is pleased to announce the signing of the sixth* ranked Light Heavyweight in the world, Phil Mr. Wonderful Davis (13-3, 1 NC), to an exclusive, multi-fight deal.
I can’t wait to be fighting in Bellator and wreck shop on everyone, said Davis. I am the absolute best and most dominant grappler to ever fight in MMA and I’m excited to get in there and compete at my new home.